Applications for 2023 MSIF Fellowships and Grants now open

Join our talented MSIF Alumni in receiving an excellent training opportunity in MS research and clinical practice

Are you a researcher or clinician working in a low or middle-income country*, who would like funding to expand your expertise and build partnerships with other countries?

Applications for MSIF’s prestigious McDonald Fellowships and Du Pré Grants for research into MS are now open.

The deadline for all applications is 30 June 2023.

McDonald Fellowships

The MSIF McDonald Fellowships, supported by European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) and The Fondation pour l’Aide à la Recherche sur la Sclérose En Plaques (ARSEP). The fellowship enables young researchers from low and middle-income countries* to work in a research institution outside their own country (or within country – see info page for more details), with a view to return and establish a programme of MS research with their newly acquired skills.

The fellowship consists of a two-year grant of £30,000 GBP per year, to cover travel and living costs, and an additional contribution of £2,000 GBP per year to the host institution.

Read more and apply here: McDonald Fellowship

Du Pré Grants

The Du Pré Grants fund short visits by researchers and clinicians from low and middle-income countries to established MS research centres outside their own country or within their country of origin (see info page for full changes to eligibility).

Visits generally last between two and six months. Each grant is up to a maximum of £6,000 GBP. The funds are intended to go towards travel and living costs, or to supplement an existing grant to extend a visit.

Read more and apply here: Du Pré Grant

Find out who was funded in 2022

Please note:

*These awards are aimed exclusively at clinicians and researchers who work in and are from low and middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank. 

Changes to eligibility criteria during the global COVID-19 pandemic

Due to pandemic travel restrictions we are considering alternative ways to carry out research projects, allowing flexibility around how the funding is spent, as well as when and where the project would be carried out.

We encourage potential applicants to think creatively together with their proposed hosts about potential solutions.

A project may be:

A) in a research institute/hospital abroad if travel permits (as in previous years)
B) in a research institute/hospital in your home country
C) a virtual project, either in full or in part with host institution mentoring*

*virtual projects are only possible if the applicant and host are able to demonstrate how to get sufficient mentorship throughout the project duration.

Projects are only accepted if:

• The risk of travel is low
• The project can be carried out safely with minimal risk to the applicant
• There are sufficient resources and supervision to allow the proposed project to take place
• The project demonstrates sufficient value to the applicant.